Emotionally Focused Therapists in San Francisco, CA

Bob Burns has counseled couples and individuals for decades as a pastor, often in cross-cultural settings. Today Bob continues to do this in his private practice. Professional Pastoral Counseling combines proven reparative approaches, spiritual insights and intercessory prayer. The emphasis will be on discovering your strengths and empowering you to live life as God intended. Bob is a Certified "Prepare-Enrich" and SYMBIS Facilitator. Both Prepare-Enrich and SYMBIS are used for relationship counseling, premarital counseling, and marriage enrichment. Bob is a trained Gottman "Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work", Educator. Gottman's seven principles are proven, research-based tools for making marriage work.

You may be dealing with personal challenges or struggling with relationships in your life or life may have thrown you a curve ball. Asking for help can be tough and humbling and yet many of my clients tell me they wish they had done it sooner. Having a safe, compassionate and supportive space can be significant to healing and working through the trickier stages of our lives. My training combines the wisdom of Western and Eastern psychologies, embracing each person's uniqueness. I work compassionately supporting greater awareness, insight, choice and fulfillment.

There are many things that draw us to therapy. Some arrive struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or career uncertainty. Others have difficulty managing  the roller coaster of emotions inherent in the peri- and postpartum experience, while some simply want a space to engage in deeper reflection. Whatever your goals and challenges, I welcome the opportunity to see whether I may be a good fit for your journey.

Are you experiencing: relationship issues, feeling overwhelmed, or stuck? Perhaps you are in a Neuro-Diverse relationship (you're wired differently) and stuggle to understand each other and get your needs met? Do you want to learn better commuication and problem-solving skills? Maybe you want a more fulfilling sex life - solo, or with your partner. There are many things that affect us and our sexuality over time - stress, age, life events, hormone changes... I can help you navigate these areas to find the answers you're looking for and get you to a better place!

I work with individuals and couples struggling with unhealthy recurrent patterns within themselves and in relationships. I believe therapy can be a powerful opportunity for people to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and make meaning of their past experiences. Being stuck with deep seated patterns often continue to cause us pain and suffering and my hope is to be able to create a safe warm environment for people to explore what aspects of their past may be getting in the way of their present and future. I work in a collaborative fashion, hoping to help people find their truth.

Whether your problems are specific - a relationship, work, troubling thoughts or experiences, or more abstract - feeling stuck, empty, lonely or misunderstood, quality therapy can offer invaluable support. I work collaboratively, compassionately and interactively with individuals and couples to improve their lives. Following your lead and pace, we explore your past and present, patterns in your life, your perceptions, behaviors and choices, and consider how our relationship may mirror your dynamics in the outside world. Gradually you gain the insight and emotional capacity necessary for invaluable lasting change that feels authentic

My goal is to create a safe and open space for you to explore your story and deepen your self understanding, putting you on a path to healing. I work with you to identify areas of frustration and concern, as well as areas of strength. My approach is based in relational psychotherapy and also incorporates Emotionally Focused Therapy, family systems and Existential perspectives.

We face so much pressure from work or family. Sometimes we have to hide parts of ourselves to fit in. And we lose touch with who we are and what makes us feel alive. Are you feeling lonely or not good enough, and longing to feel accepted for who you are? Together, we can explore what matters most to you, so you can create more of the life you want. I can support you in transforming patterns that lead to feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I offer Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and Brainspotting, which are all proven approaches for healing trauma and reducing anxiety and depression.

If you are an Autistic adult or teen seeking autism-focused and neurodivergent affirming therapy, I will help you feel safe, supported, and heard with compassion and, as an Autistic therapist myself, I truly get it! Autism-focused therapy is informed by the neurodiversity affirming model to address your unique concerns by reducing anxiety, depression, masking, autistic burnout, emotional distress of meltdowns & shutdowns, low self-esteem, family conflict, and difficulties with work or school performance, among many other concerns. I also welcome your authentic self and support my LGBTQIA+, transgender, nonbinary, and BIPOC clients.

If you're feeling unhappy in your relationships and life, dissatisfied, scared, or stuck, I can help guide you towards greater well-being. I will offer you practical real-world tools and real insight to help you figure out not just what you need to be happier and more fulfilled, but how to get there. By the end of each session, I aim to help you feel you've learned something about yourself or your relationships, and that you're leaving with new approaches or ideas to try in your life. I work with individuals, young adults, parents and couples, offering support, skills and insight to navigate life transitions and relationships.

My clinical approach is multi-disciplinary and rooted in psychodynamic theory, existential psychology, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy ( EFT ). I also have a background in integrative health and wellness, which can contribute to a more in-depth perspective on treatment. My style is collaborative, intuitive, direct, and non-judgemental, and I encourage clients to be true to themselves and transparent. Although treatment is based on an individual's needs and goals, principle themes in all treatment are to help one regain one’s confidence and strength and to reinforce one’s resiliency.

You want better relationships, with your partner, your family, at work and with yourself. You’re at the point where all of the boxes are checked, but you’re still not feeling happy or fulfilled. You struggle with guilt for wanting more, but know deep down that there's something holding you back. If you’re a couple, you want deeper intimacy and connection, to resolve recurring disagreements, or support when facing key milestones such as moving in together or getting engaged. You’re in the right place. I specialize in attachment-based therapy for those wanting to improve their relationships, beginning with themselves.

My style is approachable, interactive, and relational. I hope to create a space of trust and openness for us both to be who we are, without shame or judgment. I focus on themes of difference and inclusion, offer a social justice perspective, and stress the importance of choice and awareness. I incorporate mindfulness, existential inquiry, somatic awareness, and emotionally focused approaches that take an integral approach towards healing that connects the mind, body, and spirit, and honors the uniqueness of each person. As everyone is unique in their own ways, I believe therapy needs to be personalized for the individual.

I'm a holistic psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and coach. I have been practicing since 2007. I love helping people with relationships, dating, life transitions, and purpose and fulfillment. To create deeper change, I blend Western psychotherapy with Eastern philosophy, practical tools, and my intuitive gifts. I also enjoy working with couples, and have training in evidenced-based models of couples therapy, including EFT , PACT and Gottman. My clients feel deeply safe with me and seen by me. I can hold both immense compassion for your pain and vulnerabilities, as well as guide you towards your truest essence and most expansive self.

I am dedicated to helping people identify and work through symptoms, problems, and obstacles to true health and vitality in personal and professional relationships. I have over thirty years experience working as a therapist, teacher, consultant, coach. I am Certified as an EFT Therapist for couple's and individuals (ICEEFT.com). I am also a Certified EFT Supervisor. Currently I am helping several therapists become certified in EFT for Couples via Zoom or in person. I am Certified in Coherence Therapy (CoherenceTherapy.com). I am Certified and a trainer in Emotional Brain Training. (EBTconnect.net) www.LoveandMarriageWorks.com

I specialize in grief, depression, anxiety, personal growth, and relationship issues. My approach is collaborative, warm, and a little playful. I have completed trainings in CBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. That said, the person always comes first and my immediate goal is to make sure you feel heard and understood by me.

Are you feeling anxious, depressed or stuck? Are you struggling with emotional wounds that are holding you back from living the life you truly want for yourself? Are you satisfied in your most important relationships? When life throws you challenges it may seem impossible to go it alone. Therapy is a healthy and interactive dialogue that can help you achieve your goals and gain a greater sense of self-acceptance and acceptance of others. My style is warm, non-judgmental and curious.